Hi all, I'm just trying to find some help and advice. I was out walking today and I watched as a model airplane flying group purposely flew their aircraft into the flight path of a red kite and anotherr bird of prey causing them to swerve. I was wondering if this is normal practice or even legal. The birds were out hunting and I got a video of one of the events. Any help on this would be great.
Send the video to your local Police Wildlife Crime Officer.
Further to Bob's reply, here's more guidance on how to report crimes against birds - it does suggest you can contact the RSPB investigations if it's "crimes against wild birds of prey", so it may be worth emailing the Wildlife Enquiries too
Thanks for responding. I'll contact the police and the RSPB.
Sorry to read this. Another thing that'll continue to be more and more common and widespread, and another thing that will never get resolved as there will never be sufficient deterrent.
Yes, it feels like at the very least the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 needs updating in light of the widespread use of drones, especially as the points regarding 'disturbs any wild bird' seem only to be relevant when nesting
I agree with law update. However, law is less and less relevant. Fewer and fewer take any notice of it and even those caught breaking it, are either not charged, 'released pending investigation' that goes nowhere, charged and found 'not guilty', or found guilty and given a token fine.....often that is then not paid.
Sadly, I have to agree with you: we live in an age now of little respect to anyone and even less to the law.